Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. At a distance of 20 Kms from Mantralayam, Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is situated at Panchamukhi in Karnataka, on the other side of River Tungabhadra. Panchamukhi is said to be the place where Raghavendra Swamy has performed meditation for 12 years before settling in Mantralaya. This is an important pilgrimage site for devotees visiting Mantralayam.
HISTORY OF MANTRALAYAM
Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, lived between 1595 and 1671 was an influential saint in Hinduism. Followers of the saint consider him to be an incarnation of Bhakta Prahallada, who was saved by Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha. Sri Raghavendra Swamy is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime and has a large following even today. Mantralayam is a small and peaceful town situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra and gets thousands of devotees from all over the country. He also served as the head of Sri Mutt of Kumbakonam from 1621 to 1671.
Darshan Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM to 2 PM & 4 PM to 9.30 PM.
- Nearest city to Mantralayam: Kurnool (74 Kms), Hyderabad (253 Kms).
- Best Time to Visit Mantralayam: August to March
- Peak Season: August to September
- State: Andhra Pradesh
- District: Kurnool
- Mantralayam Weather: Summer: Maximum – 41°C & Minimum – 22°C
Winter: Maximum – 30°C & Minimum – 15°C - Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day
- Base Station: Mantralayam, Kurnool (74 Kms)
Mantralayam is also popular for Manchalamma Temple located near the Samadhi Temple, inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex. It is a custom at Mantralayam that the devotees offer prayers at the Manchalamma Temple before visiting the Samadhi Temple. As per records, the barren land around Mantralayam along the river banks of Tungabhadra was handed over to the Mutt of Sri Raghavendra Swamy by Nawab Siddi Masud Khan of Adoni. Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple, Chinna Tumbalam, Bichchali and Alampur are the nearby attractions to Mantralayam.
The male devotees who want to perform Pooja themselves have to wear dhoti. While male devotees paying normal visit have to remove their shirt and female devotees have to wear Sarees or other traditional cloths.
Accommodation is provided by the Mutt near the temple and room charges vary between Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000 per day (online booking not available yet). Private hotels and lodges also provide accommodation. It is advised to book the accommodation in advance as the place attracts devotees throughout the year.
Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 236 km from Mantralayam. The nearest railway station is Mantralayam Road Station on Madras-Raichur route, which is about 15 km away from Mantralayam town. It has train connectivity with Bangalore, Coimbatore, Varanasi, Aurangabad, Ahmedabad, Tuticorin, Shirdi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Dadar, Nagarcoil, Chennai, Kolhapur, Kanyakumari, Nanded, New Delhi, Gulbarga, Mysore and Tirupati. Mantralayam is well connected by bus with Bangalore, Kurnool, Raichur, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Chennai.
Usually it takes one full day to visit Mantralayam and nearby places.
Suggested Plan:
- Try to reach Mantralaya before 7 a.m .There are quite a few choultry/accommodation available.
- Take tickets for “Sevas” as early as possible.
- People generally take a dip in Tungabadhra before doing the Seva
- Get ready by 8 a.m to do Sankalpa of Sevas.
- Get the Darshanam of Panchamrita, Kanaka Pooja and other Sevas.
- Then do Pradakshina and Namaskara .
- Around noon,adjacent to the Brindavan,watch the Mahapooja to Moola Rama,Mukhyaprana and Brindavana
- Tiirtha prasada [lunch] is served around 1 p.m.
ADDRESS/LOCATION:
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Cro Office, Mantralayam Kurnool Dist, Andhra Pradesh, Adoni Yemmiganur Mantralaya Road, Mantralayam, Kurnool – 518345